Faf du Plessis and Ravindra Jadeja blasted fifties to boost Chennai Super Kings to 191/4 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Jadeja also blasted 37 runs in the final over bowled by Harshal Patel.
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Faf du Plessis had smashed his second consecutive fifty and stitched an opening partnership in excess of 74 with Ruturaj Gaikwad. When the youngster fell to Yuzvendra Chahal for 33, Suresh Raina looked like a man possessed and raced to 24 with three sixes. At 111/2 in the 14th over, the stage was set for a total in excess of 180 for the Chennai Super Kings. But, Harshal Patel’s twin strikes in the 14th over of du Plessis and Raina stalled CSK’s momentum. Ravindra Jadeja looked to be aggressive, but when Harshal Patel took his third wicket of Ambati Rayudu, Royal Challengers Bangalore had the initiative.
Harshal’s three wickets continued his fantastic run in IPL 2021. In the final over, he undid all his good work as carnage ensued. Harshal conceded five sixes, which included one no-ball as Jadeja smashed an IPL record-equalling 37 runs in the final over. Chennai Super Kings reached 191/4 at the Wankhde stadium on Sunday. The carnage of the last over undid all of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s hard work. Perhaps, the key moment of the match occurred when Christian dropped Jadeja on 0 off Sundar.
Both sides made one change each. Chennai Super Kings were without Moeen Ali who was out injured. Lungi Ngidi was also out and in their places, Dwayne Bravo and Imran Tahir were included. Royal Challengers Bangalore also made two changes, with Navdeep Saini and Dan Christian coming in for Shahbaz Ahmed and Kane Richardson.
Chennai Super Kings made an excellent start in the powerplay with both du Plessis and Gaikewad starting well. Both batsmen targeted Mohammed Siraj in the third over. Du Plessis carted a six off Siraj while Gaikwad managed to find the fence. Du Plessis and Gaikwad regularly found the fence as Chennai Super Kings ended the powerplay on 51/0.
Even after the powerplay, both Chennai Super Kings openers maintained a healthy rate of scoring. Royal Challengers Bangalore did not help their cause with some fielding lapses. There was a brief respite when Gaikwad fell for 33 but Royal Challengers Bangalore missed a golden chance to run-out Raina first ball.
That gave the left-hander the license to go after the bowling, which he promptly did. Raina blasted sixes off Navdeep Saini and Dan Christian but the game changed after the second strategic time-out.
Harshal employed his variations brilliantly and got Du Plessis and Raina in quick succession. Although Jadeja threatened to take the total towards 175 with boundaries off Kyle Jamieson, Royal Challengers Bangalore never panicked. After the New Zealand pacer conceded 17 runs in his third over, Virat Kohli’s team tightened up.
Siraj conceded just six runs with the perfect execution of the yorker. Harshal took the wicket of Rayudu and gave away only five runs in the 18th over. Jadeja smashed a four to take Chennai Super Kings past 150. However, Jadeja’s final-over carnage has ensured momentum is with Chennai Super Kings.
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